Flattening a stone

[ocd]

Hello,

I posted this question on the sharpening, etc list, no one responded. Does one have to flatten the little arkansas oil stone (1 by 2 1/2")? Everything I have is geared to water. Thanks, ocd.

[Paul_Guraedy]

I went to your other post and to get the details of your question. I noticed that there were 43 views of your posting. That seems to indicate that no one, who has viewed it, knows the answer. I have used Arkansas stones, but, not on my woodcarving tools. Some of mine were inherited and have a signifigant dip. No problem with my pocket knives. I would think the main problem, with any tool, would be maintenance of the angle throughout the stroke.

You might want to go back through the sharpening posts, find out who is posting with the type info you are seeking and send them a private message.

Hope you have better luck this time.

[BobD]

To be honest, the techniques to flatten an oil stone are identical to flattening a waterstone, but it will just take longer to flatten an oil stone. The material that bind the particles in an oil stone are harder than in a water stone, so oil stones wear better, but take longer to flatten.

I'd use a concrete block to start, and finish up on a coarse diamond stone or lapping stone.

Best regards,
Bob Duncan
Technical Editor

[brian-bailey]

I used a course diamond stone to flatten my arkansas stones. I've only had to do this once because I don't use the arky stones since I switched to diamond.

Check your stones with a flat edge ruler, if you see a hollow you need to flatten.

[ocd]

I picked up this stone on a whim, and it seems like it's going to be more hassle than it's worth, since I'm so dedicated to water based systems.

I got out my Shaptons yesterday to sharpen according to the chip carving guru, can't remember his name right now (Wayne Burton?), but he had me sharpen my knives on the ceramic, wow, what a difference-I had forgotton what great stones those are.

By the way, I know this is another topic, but that chip carving is not as easy as it looks to get clean lines and all that (for me anyway). Thanks for all the help, ocd.

[James A]

How do waterstones preform? I have only used oil stones on carving tools, I am looking for a better way to put a fine pollish on them. My finest stone is a white arkansa, then on knives I may follow up with 2000 grit sandpaper before the felt wheels and cardboard strop. Would a fine water stone put a sharper edge on my tools?

[Clifford_Parker]

There is absolutely no reason you can't use an Arkansas stone with water or even dry. I use all of my stones dry and then wash them with a little warm water and Dawn detergent to clean them up. As noted above, if it has a dip you will want to flatten it.

[Plain_Ol_Ed]

I'll probably get spanked for this, but there's really no need to flatten your stone for craving tools or knives. Sharpening planes etc. yes, but knives and gouges, I don't worry about it. I have stones that are dished out half their thickness and still work fine on knives and gouges. Maybe my sharpening techniques are different or something. The bottom line I would think is if they are getting our tools sharp and not messing up the profile don't worry about it.

[Blunt]

use wet dry sandpaper I haven't touched my water stones or my ceramic stones since i made the switch. I found when i was using a glass backing that just squirting the glass and paper with water was enough to keep it place no glue or fasteners needed, I have since upgraded to soft rubber backing and convex all my tools

[ocd]

In response to James A's question of how waterstones perform, they're terrific. I've never really used oil stones.

I have King stones from Veritas and a Tormek, and Shapton water/ceramic stones, up to 16K grit; some would rightfully say that 16K is overkill, but hey, I am OCD.

Leonard Lee has an excellent book on sharpening. If memory serves, waterstone's surface abrades quicker exposing more fresh abrasive particles. The Shaptons are supposedly the top of the line, I have two, and really love them.

I have heard many other folks doing the sandpaper wet/dry method and be very satisfied with the results. Before it's all over, I think most of us have at least two sharpening methods available.

It is nice to hear the Arkansas stone can be dished out and still work fine for carving tools. ocd.